Two side, top and bottom chippers in series



June 20, 1967 L. PEASE TWO SIDE, TOP AND BOTTOM CHIPPERS IN SERIES FiledDec. 18, 1964 Fig.

Z/pne/ 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VE N TOR. #9456 June 20, 1967 PEASE TWOSIDE, TOP AND BOTTOM CHIPPERS IN SERIES 5 sheets-shed 2 Filed Dec. 18,1964 L. PEASE June 20, 1967 TWO SIDE, TOP AND BOTTOM CHiPPERS IN SERIES5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR. 45'! United States Patent 3,326,252 TWO SIDE, T01 AND BOTTOMCHIPPERS IN SERIES Lionel Pease, Seattle, Wash., assignor, by mesneassignments, to Thomas W. Secrest as trustee of the Creditors Committeeof Mill Equipment, Inc.

Filed Dec. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 419,333 6 Claims. (Cl. 144-3) Thisinvention relates to a method and apparatus for the conversion of logsand the like to wood construction members and wood chips.

Generally speaking, small trees are not economical to use. For example,a small tree does not have many board feet of lumber. To cut the tree,convey it to a central processing location, remove the bark, saw off theside slabs, and make a small cant from the logs is not economicallyfeasible. In many instances it costs more to process a small tree asabove illustrated than can be realized from the sale of the resultingcant or cants. Because of this many small trees are not cut or not takenfrom the forest to be processed into a small cant having a squarecross-sectional configuration or a rectangular cross-sectionalconfiguration. The loss of such potentially usable wood is large.Further, as the large-r and older merchantable forests are being outthere are more small trees and fewer large trees.

In regard to large trees in certain instances the wood in these largetrees is not fully utilized with present day equipment and processes andtherefore may be considered to be wasted.

From having worked with wood and woodworking equipment for many years Ihave invented a machine which makes it economically feasible to reduce alog to wood chips and a wood member having a cross-sectionalconfiguration of an octagon or having a cross-section of an octagonalconfiguration.

This wood construction member of an octagonal crosssectionalconfiguration may be employed for log building such as houses and halls,decorative beams in buildings, fences, posts, rails, posts for polebarns and warehouse construction, piling, and the like.

Accordingly, one of the advantages of this invention is the provision ofa method and apparatus for the utilization of a waste material to makeuseful products, such as wood chips and wood construction members; toquickly convert wood into wood construction members and wood chips; tomake decorative wood construction members; and to make wood constructionmembers of a substantially uniform cross-sectional area andconfiguration.

These other important objects and advantages of the invention will bemore particularly brought forth with reference to the accompanyingdetailed specification, the appended claims, and the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan view of the invention comprising a machinefor converting a log to a wood construction member having an octagonalcross-sectional configuration;

FIG. 2, taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, is a lateral crosssectional viewlooking at the first two chippers and which two chippers move toward andaway from each other in a vertical path;

FIG. 3,'taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1, is a lateral crosssectional viewlooking at the second set of two chippers and which two chippers movetoward and :away from each other in a horizontal path;

FIG. 4, taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1, is a lateral crosssectional viewlooking at the third set of two chippers and which two chippers movetoward and away from each other at an angle of forty-five degrees (45with 3,326,252 Patented June 20, 1967 respect to the chippers of FIG. 2and also the chippers of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1, is a lateral crosssectional viewlooking at the fourth set of two spaced apart chippers and whichchippers move toward and away from each other at an angle of forty-fivedegrees (45 with respect to the chippers of FIG. 2 and the chippers ofFIG. 3, and move at an angle of ninety degrees with respect to thechippers of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a log, looking at the smallend of the log, and shows by cross-hatching that portion of the logwhich is removed as wood chips by the chippers of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the partially processed llogafter leaving the chippers of FIG. 2, and shows by cross hatching thatportion of the log which is removed as wood chips by the chippers ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the partially processed logafter leaving the chippers of FIG. 3 and shows by cross hatching thatportion of the log which is removed as wood chips by the chippers ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the partially processed logafter leaving the chippers of FIG. 4 and shows by cross hatching thatportion which will be removed as wood chips by the chippers of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the wood constructionmember and shows this member, in the lateral cross-sectional view, ashaving an octagon-a1 configuration;

FIG. 11, taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1, is a lateral cross-sectionalview looking at the feed rolls for positioning the partially processedlog after it has passed throng the chippers of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12, taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 1, is a lateral cross-sectionalview of the feed rolls for positioning the partially processed log afterleaving the chippers of FIG. 3 and before coming in contact with thechippers of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13, taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 1, is a lateral cross-sectionalview of the partially processed log after it has left the chippers ofFIG. 4 and before coming in contact with the chippers of FIG. 5; FIG.14, taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 1, is a lateral cross-sectional viewlooking at the feed rolls for handling the wood construction memberafter it has passed through the chippers of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are lateral cross-sectional members of the smaller endof a log and the larger end of a log respectively, and show by crosshatching that portion of the log which will be removed as wood chips andby the clear area that portion of the log which will become the woodconstruction member;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary plan view looking down on the wood constructionmember having, in the lateral cross-sectional view an octagonalconfiguration, and which member is used as a support post and to whichare nailed wall members at a 90 angle to each other and a bracing memberat an angle of 45 to each wall member; and,

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the wood constructionmember used as a post for supporting beams and illustrates bracingmembers nailed at a 45 angle to the post and to the beam.

The object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus forproducing a wood construction member 20 having a lateral cross-sectionalconfiguration of a generally octagonal configuration as illustrated inFIG. 10. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, it is seen that a portion ofthe log is removed to produce the member 20. FIG. 15 may be consideredto be the small end 21 of the log, or near the top of the tree, and FIG.16 may be con sidered to be the large end 23 of the log or the lower endof the tree. The first set of two spaced apart chippers remove as'woodchips the cross-hatched portion 22. The second set of two spaced apartchippers remove as wood chips the cross-hatched portion 24. The thirdset of two spaced apart chippers remove as wood chips acrosshatchedportion 26. And, the fourth set of two spaced apart chippers remove aswood chips the cross-hatched portion 28. The result is the woodconstruction member 20 having in a lateral cross-sectional view anoctagonal configuration.

At the present time it is possible to produce the wood constructionmember 20 by sawing away the log or sawing slabs off the log. From thebest information available to me, it takes approximately twenty tothirty minutes to make a wood construction member 20 by the process ofsawing slabs off a log. The length of the wood construction member isapproximately fifty feet. The diameter of the wood construction memberis of secondary importance as a saw is not affected to any great degreeby the diameter of the tree. One of the reasons for this long time tosaw a log into the octagonal configuration is to set up and align thesaws and the log to accurately remove the slabs from the log. Ascontrasted with the time of twenty to thirty minutes to convert thefifty foot log into a wood construction member 20 having an octagonalconfiguration in the lateral cross-sectional view, my invention makes itpossible to convert such a log into the wood construction member 20 inapproximately fifteen to twenty seconds. The saving in time is readilyapparent. Further, there is a saving in money as the material removedfrom the log to make the wood construction member 20 is converted intowood chips which may be used to make wood pulp in pulping operations forpaper and kraft paper and the like, to make dissolving cellulose, tomake chips for chip core, hardboard, softboard, fiberboard, and thelike. With the sawing process the slabs may be burned to get rid of themor else may be rehandled and put through a chipping machine. The processof separately handling the slabs or sawed off portions of the log isexpensive, time consuming and in many instances makes impractical to usethe sawed off portion of the log. In regard to the production of woodchips there is produced in the sawing operation a lot of sawdust whichis discarded or wasted while in the chipping process there is no sawdustand therefore less waste. Further, the many steps in the handling of alog to saw it into a wood construction member-having an octagonalconfiguration in the lateral cross-sectional view is expensive. As aresult of this expense, the cost of Wood construction members similar to20 is too expensive for extensive use.

In FIG. 1 there is schematically illustrated a plan view of oneembodiment of my invention 29. The invention 29 may be considered asembodying a first machine 30 comprising a first set of chippers 32 and asecond set of chippers 34 and a second machine 40 comprising a first setof chippers 42 and a second set of chippers 44; and, a feed table 50.There is one machine 29 which may be considered to be composed of twomachines 30 and 40, for converting a log to a wood construction member20 having in a lateral cross-sectional view an octagonal configuration.For ease of visualization a phantom line 41 may be used to divide 29into 30 and 40. In an installation, each half 30 and 40 of the machine29 may be easily set at an angle of 22 /2 with the vertical. As iseasily visualized the log is converted into the wood construction member20 by the four sets of chippers 32, 34, 42, and 44.

It is to be remembered that there is sufiicient supporting structure forsupporting the chippers and associated motors, feed rolls and associatedmotors, and other auxiliary equipment. This supporting structure is notillustrated as it may be varied to suit the size of chipper and motor tobe used. For small logs there will be employed a relatively smallchipper and associated motor. For large logs it will be necessary tohave larger chippers and larger motors. Therefore, the supportingstructure, both as to length of the machine and individual members, willvary.

4 The chippers 32 comprise a top chipper 36 and a bottom chipper 38. Thechippers 36 and 38 are attached to the output shafts of motors 46. It isto be understood that the chippers have chipper teeth '33. There is aframework 48 having an upper rail 52 and a lower rail 54 and sidemembers or stiles 56.

Attached to the upper rail 52 is a plate 58. Attached to the plate 58 isa fluid actuated cylinder 60 having a plunger 62. In fact, the plunger62 is common with fluid actuated cylinder 64. A cylinder 66 is in aback-to-back relationship with the fluid actuated cylinder 64. The fluidactuated cylinder has a plunger 68 which connects with an attachingmeans 70. It is seen that on the rail 54 there is a plate 72. A similarset of cylinders is attached to the plate 72. Therefore, the samereference numerals will be employed for like cylinders. The cylinders60, 64, and 66 with associated plungers, move the two chippers 36 and 38vertically and move the two chippers towards each other or away fromeach other. The two chippers 36 and 38 remove wood chips from a woodmember so as to have two substantially parallel surfaces.

The apparatus 30 also comprises a second set of chippers 34. In FIG. 3it is seen that there is a left chipper 74 and a right chipper 76. Thesechippers 74 and 76, with associated motors 46, are carried in a frame78. The frame 78 is essentially the same as the frame 48 and thereforewhere possible like reference numerals will be employed. The frame 78comprises an upper rail 80 and a lower rail 82. These two rails areconnected by stiles 84 and 86. On the stile 84 there is a plate '88. Aseries of fluid actuated cylinders connect with the plate 88. Thesefluid actuated cylinders are substantially the same as cylinders 60, 64,66 and therefore the same reference numbers will be employed. On thestile 86 there is a plate 90. Again, there is a series of cylinders andplungers 60, 64 and 66 attached to the plate 90 and also to a bracket 70associated with motor 46 and chipper 76. Likewise, associated with thechipper 74 and the motor 46 is a bracket 70.

Through FIG. 3 it is seen that the chippers 74 and 76 and the associatedmotors 46 are moved by the fluid actuated cylinders in a horizontaldirection so that the two move closer to each other or away from eachother. The chippers 74 and 76 rotate around a vertical axis so as toremove Wood chips from the sides of a wood member being processed. Thewood member undergoing processing upon leaving the chippers 74 and 76-is in the configuration of a cant. The lateral cross-sectionalconfiguration may be of a square or of a rectangle.

At this time it is appropriate to summarize the combined action of thetwo sets of chippers 32 and 34. With reference to FIG. 6, it is seenthat there is a log 94. The two chippers 36 and 38 of the set 32 willremove that cross-hatched portion of 94 identified by reference numerals21 for the small end and 23 for the large end. At this time see FIGS. 15and 16. With removal of the wood portion identified as 22 there isproduced two substantially parallel horizontal surfaces 96. The woodmember leaving the chippers 36 and 38 and entering the wood chippers 74and 76 is identified by reference numeral 98, and has a lateralcross-sectional configuration as illustrated in FIG. 7, that portion ofthe wood member 98 which will be removed as wood chips is indicated byportion 24. It is seen that the chippers 74 and 76 produce a wood member104, see FIG. 8, having two substantially parallel vertical spaced-apartsides 100. The sides 100 are substantially at right angles to the sides96. The wood member 104 leaves the chippers 74 and 76 and enters thethird set of chippers 42. The set of chippers 42 is in a frame 102 andcomprises chippers 106 and 108. The frame 102 comprises a firstlongitudinal member 110 and a second longitudinal member 112. There is afirst lateral member 114 connecting 110 and 112. There is a secondlateral member 116 connecting 110 and 112. The members 110' and 112 areparallel and the members 114 and 116 are parallel. On 114 there is aplate 122. Attached to the plate 122 is a fluid actuated cylinder 60. Asin FIG. 2 and associated with the chippers 36 and 38 there are a seriesof fluid actuated cylinders 64 and '66 associated with the chipper 106.Likewise, on 116 there is a plate 124. Connecting with this plate 124 isa series of fluid actuated cylinders 60, =64 and 66.

It is seen that the fluid actuated cylinders move the chippers 106 and108 toward each other and away from each other. Further, it is seen thatthe chippers 106 and 108 are so positioned as to cut wood chips from thewood member 104 so as to have two resulting substantially parallelsurfaces but which surfaces are at approximately a 45 angle with thesurfaces 96 and 100 of the member 104. Another way of expressing this isit is seen that the chippers 106 and 108 chip away wood from the woodmember at an angle of substantially 45 with the chippers 36 and 38 or atan angle of substantially 45 with the chippers 74 and 76.

The wood member 104 may have rounded corners between the sides 96 and100 or sides 96 and 108 may meet at right angle. More particularly, withreference to FIGS. and 16, it is seen that for the small end of the logthat the adjacent sides 96 and 100 will be joined by a rounded corner.And, at the large end of the log the adjacent sides 96 and 100 will beat a right angle to each other. The set of chippers 42 remove thatportion 26 of the member 104, see FIGURE 8. The wood member leaving theset of chippers 42 is identified by reference numeral 130 and hassubstantially parallel spaced apart sides 96, substantially parallelspaced apart sides 100, and substantially parallel spaced apart sides132. A side 132 is at an approximate 45 angle with an adjacent side 96and is at an approximate 45 angle with an adjacent side 100.

The wood member 130 travels to a set of chippers 44 having a chipper 134and a chipper 136. The set of chippers 44 is in a frame 138. The frame138 is substantially the same frame as the frame 102 and therefore likereference numerals will be used for similar components. It is to beremembered that the two frames 102 and 138 are reversed with respect toeach other. On the member 114 of the frame 138 there is a plate 140. Onthe member 116 there is a plate 142. Attached to the plate 140 there isa series of fluid actuated cylinders 60, 64, and 66. Attached to theplate 142 there is a series of fluid actuated cylinders 60, 64, and 66.The chipper 134 is driven by a motor 46 and the chipper 136 is driven bya motor 46. The chippers 134 and 136 remove wood 28 from the wood member130 so as to have two substantially spaced apart parallel sides 146 andidentified by reference numeral 20.

It is seen that the sides 146 aresubstantially at right angles to thesides 132, and that the sides 100 are substantially at right angles tothe sides 96. Also, a side 132 makes approximately 135 interior anglewith adjacent side 96 and an adjacent side 100. Likewise, a side 146 maymake an approximately 135 interior angle with an adjacent side 100 andan adjacent side 96. As previously stated, the product in alateralcross-sectional configuration has an octagonal configuration with eight(8) sides approximately the same width and each side making an interiorangle of approrimately 135 with an adjacent side.

There are feed rolls associated with the sets of chippers 32, 34, 42 and44. These feed rolls in addition to assisting in the moving of the woodconstruction member through the apparatus 30 and the apparatus 40 alsoassist in positioning the wood construction member with respect to a setor sets of chippers.

' These feed rolls 150 are essentially the same. They comprise acylindrical casing 152 which is free to rotate on a shaft 154. A guessetmember 156 connects with the casing 152 and also with a cylindricalcasing 158. The cylindrical case 158 houses a shaft 160. On the end ofthe shaft 160 there is a feed roll 162. Attached to the casing 158 is alever arm 164. As is appreciated, the

casing 158 rotates around shaft 154. There is at least one feed rollassociated with each chipper. A lever arm 164 connects with the casing158. The lever arms 164, for a set of feed rolls, may move the feedrolls toward each other or may move the feed rolls away from each other.

The shafts 160 of the feed roll 170 are in the same plane as the shaftsof the chippers 36 and 38. In FIGS. 1 and 11 it is seen that there arefour sets 170 of two feed rolls each whose shafts rotate in the sameplane as the shafts for the chippers 36 and 38. As illustrated in FIGS.1 and 11, the feed rolls of the sets 170 rotate in horizontal planes.

The shafts of feed rolls 172 rotate in the same plane as the shafts ofthe chippers 74 and 76, i.e., in vertical planes, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 12. In these figures is seen that there are three sets ofthese feed rolls 172.

The feed rolls in sets 174 rotate in the same plane and in the samedirection as the chippers 106 and 108. In FIGS. 1 and 13 it is seen thatthere are two sets 174 of these feed rolls.

There is a set 176 of feed rolls associated with the chippers 134 and136, and which rotate in the same plane and the same direction. In FIGS.1 and 14 it is seen that there is one set 176 of these feed rolls.

Between the set of chippers 32 and the set of chippers 34 there is a set170 of feed rolls. These feed rolls are in contact with substantiallyparallel spaced apart sides 96 and assist in positioning the wood member98 as it moves between the set of chippers 32 and the set of chippers34.

Between the set of chippers 34 and the set of chippers 42 there ispositioned the set of feed rolls 172 and a set of feed rolls 170. Theset of feed rolls 172 contacts the substantially parallel spaced apartsides of the wood member 104, and a set of feed rolls 170 contacts thesubstantially parallel spaced apart sides 96 of the wood member 104.

It is seen that the woo-d member 104 is firmly positioned as it movesbetween the set of chippers 34 and the set of chippers 42.

Between the set of chippers 42 and the set of chippers 44 there ispositioned three sets of feed rolls, 170, 172, and 174. The Wood memberupon moving between the set of chippers 42 and the set of chippers 44 isengaged by these feed rolls. The set of feed rolls 174 engages thesubstantially parallel flat spaced apart sides 132. The set of feedrolls engages substantially parallel spaced apart sides 96. The set offeed rolls 172 engages substantially parallel spaced apart sides 100.The set of feed rolls 174 engages substantially parallel spaced apartsides 132. In this manner wood member 130 is firmly positioned as itmoves between the set of chippers 42 and the of chippers 44.

In back of the set of chippers 44 there are four sets of feed rolls,176, 170, 172, and 174. As product 20 leaves the set of chippers 44 andmoves between these feed rolls the set of feed rolls 176 contact thesubstantially parallel spaced apart sides 146. The set of feed rolls 170contacts the substantially parallel spaced apartsides 96. The set offeed rolls 172 contacts the substantially parallel spaced apart sides100. The set of feed rolls 174 contacts the substantially parallelspaced apart sides 132. In this manner it is seen that the product 20 asit leaves the set of chippers 42 is firmly positioned so that thatportion of the Wood member 20 which is still being acted upon by the setof chippers 44 is aligned so that the wood may be chipped away to give auniform product 20 having a lateral cross-sectional configuration of auniform octagon.

At this time the reader can appreciate that the feed rolls inconjunction with the chippers position the wood member being chipped bythe chippers. With feed rolls on both sides of a set of chippers thewood member is firmly positioned in a set of chippers.

As is appreciated there must be a means for feeding a log to the firstset of chippers 32; This means is identified by reference numeral 180and is referred to as a feed table. The feed table may comprise twospaced apart carrier chain structure assemblies 182. These spaced apartcarrier chain structure assemblies carry chains 184. The carrier chains184 are mounted on sprockets 186. It is seen that each carrier chainstructure support assembly 182 has a sprocket 186 at each end. There aremeans for rotating the sprockets 186 so that the chains will move a log188 towards the first set of chippers 32. There are means for moving thechain 184 and the log 188 away from the first set of chippers 32 as wellas towards the first set of chippers 32. Also, there are means formoving the two carrier chain structure support assemblies toward eachother and away from each other to accommodate various sizes of logs.Further, there are means for moving the ends of the two carrier chainstructure support assemblies 182 away from each other so that thesesupport assemblies form a V. More particularly, those ends near thefirst set of chippers 32 may be moved away from each other so that thereis a V or else those ends near the set 32 of chippers may be closetogether and those ends away from the set of chippers 32 may be movedaway from each other so that there is a V.

On the carrier chain 184 there are carrier plates 190. These carrierplates 190 grip a log to be moved towards the first set of chippers 32.

Now, it can be seen that the feed table 180 grips a log so that the logis positioned both vertically and horizontally with respect to the firstset of chippers 32. The first set of chippers 32 assist in positioningthe log vertically. Further, the feed rolls 170 between the first set ofchippers 32 and the second set of chippers 32 assist in positioning thewood member 98. Then, the second set of chippers 34 assist inpositioning the wood member 98 in horizontal position. Further, the feedrolls 172 between the set of chippers 34 and the set of chippers 42assist in positioning the wood member 104 in a horizontal position andthe feed rolls 170 between the set of chippers 32 and the set ofchippers 44 assist in positioning the wood member 104 in a verticalposition. The set of chippers 42 assist in positioning the wood member104 in both a vertical position and a horizontal position. The feedrolls 174 assist in positioning the wood member 130 in both a horizontalposition and a vertical position while the feed rolls 170 assist inpositioning the member 130 in a vertical position. The feed rolls 172assist in positioning the member 130 in a horizontal position. Then, theset of chippers. 44 assist in positioning the member 130 in both ahorizontal and vertical position. The feed rolls 176 assist inpositioning the member 20 in a vertical and horizontal position and thefeed rolls 170 assist in positioning the member 20 in a verticalposition. The feed rolls 172 assist in positioning the member 20 in ahorizontal position and the feed rolls 174 assist in positioning themember 20 in both a vertical and horizontal position. In certaininstances where there is a long log such as a log 80' to 100 long partof the time will be in the feed table 180 and also in the set ofchippers 32, 34, 42, and 44 and the associated feed rolls. In such asituation the log is definitely firmly positioned. Other times whenthere is a short log such as 20 feet long, then the log may be partiallyin the feed table 180 and in the first set of chippers 32 and 34. Withfurther processing of such a log, the log may be positioned betweenthree sets of chippers, such as 32, 34, and 42 and associated feedrolls. With the feed table, sets of chippers and associated feed rollsthere is assurance that there will be enough means to firmly positionthe wood member undergoing processing to insure a wood constructionmember 20 having straight sides.

At this time it is appropriate to state that the chippers 36, 38, 74,76, 106, 108, 134 and 136 rotate with the direction oftravel of the woodmember undergoing processing. It has been found that with the chippersrotating with the direction of travel thata more uniform chip isproduced and a chip which can be more readily utilized in a subsequentprocessing operation. Also, the finished product 20 has a better surfaceand a smoother surface than when the chippers rotate in the directionagainst the travel of the wood member undergoing processing. Further,the feed rolls may be driven by means which assure constant velocity.These feed rolls may be driven by a non-overrunning feed mechanism suchas a gear drive or an inertial escape mechanism. In this manner thevelocity of travel of wood member undergoing processing is heldrelatively constant. More particularly, with the chipper knives pushingagainst the wood member undergoing processing there is a tendency toaccelerate the speed of travel of this Wood member. But by having thefeed rolls move at a constant velocity these feed rolls function as abrake on the wood member undergoing processing and hold it at arelatively constant speed. With a worm gear drive there is a tendency tohold the feed rolls at a constant rotational speed and therefore thewood member undergoing processing at a constant linear speed.

The chippers may rotate at any reasonable speed. From experience I havefound that if the chippers rotate in the range of at least 1800 r.p.m.,and sometimes 3600 r.p.m., that the sides of the wood constructionmember 20 are smooth.

Reference has been made to fluid actuated cylinders such as 60, 62, and66. It is to be realize-d that these fluid actuated cylinders may be ahydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

A more detailed explanation and presentation of the feed table 180 maybe found in my co-pending patent application entitled, Feed Table, Ser.No. 339,504, filing date of J an. 22, 1964, now abandoned in favor ofpatent application, Ser. No. 456,019, filing date of April 23, 1965entitled Feed Table. Further, a more detailed and complete explanationof the apparatus 30, the apparatus 40; and the apparatus 200, withrespect to the means for driving the chippers and the feed rolls may befound in my co-pending patent application entitled, Side, Top and BottomChippers, Ser. No. 405,101, and filing date of Oct. 20, 1964. Further, amore detailed explanation of an appropriate chipper tooth 33 which maybe used in the sets of chippers 32, 34, 42, and 44 may be found inUnited States Letters Patent No. 2,899,992, of E. M. Key, issuing dateof Aug. 18, 1959. As is seen in the drawings there are four chipperteeth per chipper. Of course, it is to be realized that there may be adifferent number of chipper teeth per chipper, but from experience Ihave used four chipper teeth. In addition to the chipper teeth of saidKey patent it may be possible to use another style of chipper tooth.

One of the uses of product 20 is in piling. As is generally known,piling may be made from a relatively long tree. The ends of a log areremoved so as to have a pile of desirable area. A pile may have a lengthcommensurate with the use to which it is to be placed. In some instancesa pile may have a length of approximately or slightly over 100. In thissituation the pile has a big area on the bigger end. In a piledriver theways of guides are approximately 26" apart. With a large end it isnecessary to cut off or chop off the large end of the pile to fit in theguides. Further, the effective area of the pile is the small end.Therefore, with a pile that tapers outwardly from the small end to thelarge end there is a large volume of non-usable pile. If a pile becreosoted, then there is a relatively large amount of creosote wasted ona pile which is not serving a useful structural purpose. Further,transporation of the pile is somewhat costly as non-usable piling isbeing transported. Also, in the driving of the pile into the groundthere is a wedging effect as the small end of the pile is driven intothe ground first. In extreme cases, the wedge action becomes quite largeon a pile and may even prevent driving of the pile into the ground. Inthis regard the product 20 having a lateral cross-sectionalconfiguration of an octagon presents a constant cross sec- 9 tion. Thereis no wedging effect of a pile in the configuration of the product 20 asopposed sides are parallel. Further, in the treating of the pile withcreosote or another wood preservative there is less pile to take up thecreosote or Wood preservative. Further, there is less weight totransport as the excess pile has been chipped away or removed. Also, itis easier to place a pile made from the product 20 in the ways or guidesof the piledriver as it is not necessary to chop away part of the pileto get in between the 26" guides. Since there is less wedging action itis easier to drive the pile in this regard and there is less weight totransport to the site of usage. Finally, the wood chips are readilysalable and a profit is realized from the sale of these wood chips. Inessence, there are many economic advantages the main ones being thatthere is realized a better pile and from a mere log and also there isrealized a profit from the sale of wood chips.

From a procurement standpoint it is difficult to secure long straightpiles. A curved or bent pile cannot be driven due to its susceptibilityto breakage from the eccentric column loading under each hammer blow. Inthis regard the wood construction member 20 is more readily used as itis straight.

A pile depends on skin friction for its load carrying capacity. With thewood construction member 20 used as a pile there is no wedging actionduring the driving operation. Because of this a more accurate predictionof the driving of the member 20 as a pile can be made. The only area ofthe member 20 that may introduce questionable data in the bearingcalculations is the end area rather than the end area plus the wedgearea of a tapered pile. In addition to using the product 20 as a pile,it may be used as a pole in pole barn construction or else it may beused as an upright support in a warehouse. When used as such an uprightsupport the smooth side may be covered with sheet metal so as to givethe appearance of a metal support or as to protect the wood from undueabrasion by passing machines and trucks. With such an upright supportthere is less expense in producing the necessary structural features ina warehouse.

More particularly, in FIG. 17 there is a plan view of the woodconstruction member 20 used as a post with side wall members 200 and 202nailed to the member 20. The two side wall members 200 and 202 are atright angles to each other. There is a corner brace 204 which is nailedto the member 20 and to the two side wall members 200 and 202. The brace20.4 is at an angle of 45 to each of the side wall members 200 and 202.This illustrates the ease with which the member 20 and can be used as acorner post, and that members can be easily positioned at 90 with eachother and 45 with each other. As is apparent this type of constructioncan be used in house framing and the framing of small buildings.

In FIG. 18 there is a side elevational view of the member 20 as a postfor beams 206,208 and 210. On the sides of the member 20 there arepositioned braces 210 and 212. These braces 210 and 212 are at an angleof 45 to the post member-20 and to the respective beams 206 and 208.This illustrates the ease with which the member 20 may be used as asupport for beams and also braces for the beams as the braces canreadily be nailed to the sides. As there are eight flat sides to themember, it is possible to readily nail a brace to one of these flatsides.

Further, the product 20 may be used as a decorative beam in house andbuilding and lodge construction.

A further place of use for the product 20 is in fence and postconstruction. With logs having a small diameter of approximately 4" orit is possible to realize a rail from such a log. In this regard seeFIGS. and 16. If the log of FIG. 15, at the small end, were 5" indiameter, at the best it would be possible to secure two two by fours (2x 4). With the use of this invention it is possible to secure a producthaving a lateral cross-sectional octagonal configuration of a diameterof almost the complete 10 5". In other words, the log of FIG. 15 isalmost completely utilized as a structural member with respect to thesmall end. Further, with larger logs it is possible to convert theseinto guard rails having a pleasing configuration.

From the foregoing it is seen that I have provided an invention whichmakes it possible to utilize small logs, as well as large logs, forstructural members and also to realize wood chips from these logs. Inmany instances, it has not been economically feasible to process smalllogs as there was not a sufficient amount of usable material in the logto make worthwhile the processing. With this invention it is possible toeconomically use these small logs as it is realized a structural memberand wood chips. The value of wood chips makes possible the utilizationof some of these small logs.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for working wood, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first set of two spaced apart chippers;

(b) said two chippers being in a first plane;

(a a second set of two spaced apart chippers;

(d) said two chippers of the second set being in a second plane;

(e) said first and second planes being substantially at right angles;

(f) a third set of two spaced apart chippers;

(g) said two chippers of the third set being in a third plane;

(h) said third plane being at an angle of about 45 with the first andthe second planes;

(i) a fourth set of two spaced apart chippers;

(j) said two chippers of the fourth set being in a 'fourth plane; and,

(k) said third and fourth planes being substantially at right angles.

2. An apparatus for working wood, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first set of two spaced apart chippers;

(b) said two chippers being in a first plane;

(c) a second set of two spaced apart chippers;

(d) said two chippers of the'second set being'in a second plane;

(e) said first and second planes being substantially at right angles;

(f) a third set of two spaced apart chippers;

(g) said two chippers of the third set being in a third plane; (h) saidthird plane being at an angle of about 45 with the first and the secondplanes;

(i) a fourth set of two spaced apart chippers;

(j) said two chippers of the fourth set being in a fourth plane; I

(k) said third and fourth planes being substantially at right angles;and

(1) means to vary the distance between the two chippers in each set ofchippers.

3. An apparatus for working wood, said comprising:

(a) a first set of two spaced apart chippers;-

(b) said two chippers being in a first plane;

(0) a second set of two spaced apart chippers;

(d) said two chippers of the second set being in a second plane;

(e) said first and second planes being substantially at right angles;

(f) a third set of two spaced apart chippers;

(g) said two chippers of the third set being in a third plane;

(h) said third plane being at an angle of about 45 with the first andthe second planes;

(i) a fourth set of two spaced apart chippers;

(j) said two chippers of the fourth set being in a fourth plane;

(k) said third and fourth planes being substantially at right angles;and

apparatus (l) a means for introducing a wood member to the first set ofthe two spaced apart chippers. 4. An apparatus for working wood, saidapparatus comprising:

(a) a first set of two spaced apart chippers;

(b) said two chippers being in afirst plane;

() a second set of two spaced apart chippers;

((1) said two chippers of the second set being in a second plane;

(e) said first and second planes being substantially at right angles;

(f) a third set of two spaced apart chippers;

(g) said two chippers of the third set being in a third plane;

(h) said third plane being at an angle of about 45 with the first andthe second planes;

(i) a fourth set of two spaced apart chippers;

(j) said two chippers of the fourth set being in a fourth plane;

(k) said third and fourth planes being substantially at right angles;

(l) means to vary the distance between the two chippers in each set ofchippers; and,

(m) a means forintroducing a wood member to the first set of the twospaced apart chippers.

5. An apparatus for working wood, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first set of two spaced apart chippers;

(b) said two chippers being in a first plane;

(c) a first set of two spaced apart feed rolls associated with saidfirst set of two spaced apart chippers;

(d) said two feed rolls being in a first plane;

(e) a second set of two spaced apart chippers;

(if) said two chippers of the second set being in a second plane;

(g) the first plane of the first set of two spaced apart chippers "beingsubstantially at right angles to the second plane of the second set oftwo spaced apart chippers;

(h) a second set of two spaced apart feed rolls;

(i) said second set of two spaced apart feed rolls being in a secondplane;

(j) the first plane for the first spaced apart feed rolls beingsubstantially at right angles to the second plane for the second set ofspaced apart feed rolls;

(k) a third set of two spaced apart chippers;

(1) said two chippers of the third set being in a third plane;

(rn) a third set of two spaced apart feed rolls associated with saidfirst set of two spaced apart feed rolls;

(n) said third set of two spaced apart feed rolls being in a thirdplane;

(0) the first plane for the first spaced apart feed rolls being in anangle of approximately 45 to the third plane for the third set of spacedapart feed rolls;

(p) the second plane for the second spaced apart feed rolls beingsubstantially at an angle of 45 to the third plane for the third set ofspaced apart feed rolls;

(q) a fourth set of two spaced apart chippers;

(r) said two chippers of the fourth set being in a fourth plane;

(s) the third plane of the third set of two spaced apart chippers beingsubstantially at right angles to the fourth plane of the fourth set OftWo spaced apart chippers;

(t) a fourth set of two spaced apart feed rolls;

(u) said fourth set of .two spaced apart feed rolls being in a fourthplane; and

(v) the third plane for the third set of two spaced apart feed rollsbeing substantially at right angles to the fourth set of spaced apartfeed rolls.

6. An apparatus for Working wood, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first set of two spaced apart chippers;

(b) said two chippers being in a first plane;

(c) a first set of'two spaced apart feed rolls associated with saidfirst set of two spaced apart chippers;

((1) said two feed rolls being in a first plane;

(e) a second set of two spaced apart chippers;

(f) said two chippers of the second set being in a second plane;

(g) the first plane of the first set of two spaced apart chippers beingsubstantially at right angles to the second plane of the second set oftwo spaced apart chippers;

(h) a second set of two spaced apart feed rolls;

(i) said second set of two spaced apart feed rolls being in a secondplane;

(j) the first plane for the first spaced apart feed rolls beingsubstantially at right angles to the second plane for the second set ofspaced apart feed rolls;

(k) a third set of two spaced apart chippers;

(1) said two chippers of the third set being in a third plane;

(In) a third set of two spaced apart feed rolls associated with saidfirst set of two spaced apart feed rolls;

(n) said third set of two spaced apart feed rolls being in a thirdplane;

(o) the first plane for the first spaced apart feed rolls being in anangle of approximately 45 to the third plane for the third set of spacedapart feed rolls;

(p) the second plane for the second spaced apart feed rolls beingsubstantially at an angle of 45 to the third plane for the third set ofspaced apart feed rolls;

(q) a fourth set of two spaced apart chippers;

(r) said two chippers of the fourth set being in a fourth plane;

(s) the third plane of the third set of two spaced apart chippers beingsubstantially at right angles to the fourth plane of the fourth set oftwo spaced apart chippers;

(t) a fourth'set of two spaced apart feed rolls;

(u) said fourth set of two spaced apart feed rolls being in a fourthplane,

(v) the third plane for the third set of two spaced apart feed rollsbeing substantially at right angles to the fourth set of spaced apartfeed rolls;

(w) means to vary the distance between the two chippers in each set ofchippers; and, (x) means to vary the distance between the two feed rollsin each set of feed rolls.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,684,088 7/1954 Miller 144-41 XWILLIAM W. DYER, 111., Primary Examiner.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Examiner.

W. D. BRAY, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR WORKING WOOD, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A FIRSTSET OF TWO SPACED APART CHIPPERS; (B) SAID TWO CHIPPERS BEING IN A FIRSTPLANE; (C) A SECOND SET OF TWO SPACED APART CHIPPERS; (D) SAID TWOCHIPPERS OF THE SECOND SET BEING IN A SECOND PLANE; (E) SAID FIRST ANDSECOND PLANES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES; (F) A THIRD SET OFTWO SPACED APART CHIPPERS; (G) SAID TWO CHIPPERS OF THE THIRD SET BEINGIN A THIRD PLANE;